New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler has done his level best to ensure the Croatian flag flies proudly at Te Rapa today.
Wheeler will produce Fair Script in the Warren Storm Lifebrokers Waikato Steeples (4000m) and Yardstick in the Porritt Sand Waikato Hurdles (3200m), both jumpers carrying the colours of the Croatian flag for their owners, the Matijasevich family.
Fair Script was particularly impressive in winning the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial Steeplechase at Te Rapa a fortnight ago and Wheeler would love to claim another feature win for the family.
"They are good buggers and I'd love to win a big one for them," Wheeler said.
"They are great fun to train for. We've had some good ones over the years. Waltermitty won a New Zealand Cup and The Pooka was a good two-year-old and he won the 2000 Guineas, but never went on with it."